5 Keys to Successful Prehabilitation For Joint Replacement
Through our extensive rehabilitation services, we have helped patients get their lives back to enjoying the activities they once did before chronic joint pain diminished the quality of their lives.
But one of the keys to success is preparing yourself for the rehabilitative process even before your procedure. We call this prehabilitation for joint replacement, and it can help both you and your orthopedic surgeon in Raleigh set the stage for your success.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the keys to both successful prehabilitation and rehabilitation, including what to expect, how to aid in your recovery, and how to position yourself for success.
Prehabilitation and rehabilitation are essential components of our joint replacement treatment program. Through our experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeons in Raleigh, we can help you prepare effectively, leading to faster and more complete recoveries.
Together, these two phases play a vital role in dramatically improving your quality of life. If you need a joint replacement, we will work closely with you to plan your entire treatment plan to give you the best chance for success. Tired of living with joint pain? Contact us for an appointment to see how our experienced specialists can help you.
First, let’s take a look at prehabilitation.
What Is Prehabilitation?
Prehabilitation, or “prehab,” refers to the process of preparing your body physically and mentally before undergoing surgery. It involves a tailored program of exercises, education, and lifestyle modifications designed to optimize your health, improve surgical outcomes, and speed up recovery.
5 Keys to Successful Prehabilitation For Joint Replacement
1. Completing Home Exercises/Pre-operative Physical Therapy
A few simple workouts in the weeks leading up to surgery will help your body recover faster. Our physical therapists can provide insightful advice to help you move forward. The type of exercises you need will depend upon your individual case. These exercises may include stretching and work with flexibility and range of motion.
Did you know we have our own in-house physical therapy? This means you don’t have to sacrifice world-class care for convenience.
2. Maintaining Cardiovascular Health
Now is the perfect time to build your endurance through exercise and conditioning. We understand that this can be challenging, especially if joint pain leads to the need for replacement. However, even gentle activities like walking or using a stationary bike can make a significant difference in preparing your body for surgery and recovery.
Again, this is one case where you’ll find valuable input and advice from our leading, certified physical therapists on our staff.
3. Preparing Your Home
That throw rug may perfectly complement your couch, but when you’re returning home from a knee or hip replacement, it becomes a tripping hazard. Making sure that your home is ready for you can ensure that you can have a safe recovery.
If you’ve had a knee or hip replacement, you might also consider installing handrails or raised toilet seats.
Don’t forget meal prep! This would be a good time to utilize help from friends or your community to supply meals for you. You may also wish to prepare and freeze some healthy meals ahead of time to ensure they are ready for you after surgery.
4. Staying Healthy
It’s vital to manage any chronic or pre-existing health conditions you have. For example, if you have diabetes, we encourage you to make sure your A1C and blood sugar levels are stable.
We will have already taken a close inventory of your medical history, but we also want to be sure that any chronic conditions will not cause issues surrounding surgery—particularly if these concern your heart and circulation. We’ll work closely with you throughout the whole pre-op process.
5. Educating Yourself
At the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic, we believe in working with you to provide the educational materials you need to be an active partner in your care. By thoroughly understanding the recovery process, you can have a smoother experience. We’ll help you know what to expect and assist you by setting realistic goals.
How Does Prehabilitation Differ From Rehabilitation?
Prehabilitation (or pre-hab) starts around six weeks before surgery. By contrast, rehabilitation occurs after surgery and may continue for several months depending upon your progress and condition.
Does Prehabilitation Work?
Which Procedures Can Benefit from Prehabilitation?
We have seen prehabilitation be particularly beneficial for knee and hip replacements. It’s also a perfect complement to procedures such as:
- ACL reconstruction
- Rotator cuff repair
- Spinal surgery
- Hand and wrist surgeries
- Meniscectomy and meniscus repair (the meniscus is a pad of cartilage found in your knee)
Rehabilitation and Prehabilitation: A Comprehensive Approach at the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic
Rehabilitation and prehabilitation for joint replacement are integral parts of the comprehensive care we provide. By offering expert guidance and combining best practices with compassionate support, we help patients successfully prepare for surgery, which means a faster and more complete recovery.
We use both of these components to help position you for success so you can regain your life, enjoying the activities you used to without pain.
Do you believe you may be a candidate for a joint replacement? See why we’re the provider of choice for the Raleigh area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.
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Sources:
Arthritis Foundation, “Pre-hab for Surgery,” https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/preplanning/pre-hab-for-surgery
Punnoose A, Claydon-Mueller LS, Weiss O, Zhang J, Rushton A, Khanduja V. Prehabilitation for Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Apr 3;6(4) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8765744/
